The grassroots campaign of Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Deval Patrick made a stop in Hassenfeld Conference Center Thursday evening, where the candidate addressed nearly 150 people.Patrick discussed numerous issues, including renewable energy, affordable universal healthcare and better funding for public education.

"We are trying to make the case that this is your government and your campaign," he said. "We will all shape the kind of government and society that we deserve."

He said his experience as former President Bill Clinton's assistant attorney general for civil rights and the executive vice president of the Coca-Cola Company has given him the skills needed to lead.

"I understand how to make government work, but I also know how to make business work," he said.

Patrick said he understands "how essential it is for us to connect again in a sense of community." He said Americans are unique because they are brought together by principles of equality and opportunity.

"We are not united around a common religion or even a common language, but around a handful of civic values," Patrick said. "At the end of the day, that is what makes us a unique experiment in human history."

Patrick also addressed the political aspirations of current governor Mitt Romney, who is considering a run for president in 2008.

Patrick said Romney is "pandering increasingly to a right-wing constituency he thinks he's going to need to win the presidency instead of paying attention to what we need and care about."

Before leaving the podium, Patrick fielded questions from audience members. One student asked about the state's system of campaign finance regulation, which he said limits individual contributions more than regulatory laws in other states.

Patrick said Massachusetts' campaign finance rules give a distinct advantage to wealthy and incumbent candidates who are able to privately fund their own campaigns.

"The idea of public funding for campaigns is a very attractive one to me in concept, but I don't know how to do it," he said.

Patrick was also asked about the national debate over immigration laws. Patrick said those involved in the debate must consider the importance of immigrant workers to the American economy.

"I really do believe if we don't address the fact that without immigration our economy would collapse, then we're not talking reality," he said.

Ari Fertig '08, coordinator for the campus advocacy group 'Deis for Deval, said he and his group had been working to have Patrick speak at Brandeis since November.

"We got an amazing turnout, which I was really happy about," he said. "It took a whole lot of work."

Eric Pekar '08, a campaign coordinator for the Brandies chapter of Democracy for America who heard Patrick speak at Faneuil Hall in Boston last month, said he was happy to see the candidate make an appearance at the University.

"I thought it was really cool," Pekar said. "It was a different speech than what he gave at the rally, and it was awesome that he came here."

Patrick is considered the most progressive Democratic candidate in the race for an office that has been Republican controlled for nearly two decades. He is vying for the Democratic nomination along with state Attorney General Tom Reilly and businessman Chris Gabrieli, who joined the race last week. The Democratic primary will be held in September.